On Tuesday, city voters picked seven incumbents and decided against re-electing Ward 3 Commissioner Dean Newsome. Kate Flores, a nonprofit consultant and former executive director of Voces, handily won the seat, 448-279.

Kaytee Faris, a stay-at-home mother who ran unsuccessfully in 2013, took the at-large seat vacated by Commissioner Dave Walters. She received the second-most votes in the at-large race with 2,121, according to unofficial results. Commissioner Andy Helmboldt was the top vote-getter, with 2,294 votes. Commissioner Susan Baldwin received 2,065; Commissioner Mark Behnke earned 2,023; and Rob Rumsey, a political newcomer and tutor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, finished fifth in the four-seat race with 1,047 votes.

Walters slid over to Ward 5, succeeding Commissioner Jeff Domenico, who did not seek re-election. Walters ran unopposed, as did Mayor Deb Owens in Ward 1 and Commissioner Mike Sherzer in Ward 4.

Faris, who ran for the second time after being defeated in 2013, said she campaigned hard this year and is looking forward to representing Battle Creek residents. She said some of the new commission's top priorities should include continuing to support the efforts behind code compliance changes and the Redevelopment Ready Communities program.

"I'm going to try to stay in as close contact with people as I can," Faris, 36, said in a phone interview Tuesday night. "I'm not gonna knock on everybody's doors, but I hope to stay in close contact with the people over the next two years."

It's the second election in a row in which Ward 3 has voted against its incumbent. Flores told the Enquirer she was humbled by the win.

"I knew it was going to be close," the 34-year-old said. "I have been working very hard, going to lots of different community events, talking to as many residents and voters across our entire ward, from one end to another over this last month and a half."

"I'm extremely grateful that a broad array of folks came out to support (me) and I'm very humbled and really excited about moving forward."

Newsome, 55, congratulated Flores, saying she ran "a very effective campaign" and that he looked forward to working with her. He said he planned to continue to be involved in other community work.

"I did before the election in 2013 and I will be after," he said. "That's a no-brainer."

Burdett wins Springfield mayoral race

Council members Larry Eib and Richard Young were re-elected in their unopposed race, as was newcomer John Navarro.

Burdett replaces Susan Anderson, Springfield's long-serving mayor who began serving in the role 17 years ago. Anderson was honored at a City Council meeting on Monday; a public reception will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Springfield Farmers Market, 503 Military Ave.

Olivet school proposal approved

The tax covers entities such as businesses, second homes, rental homes and commercial properties. It raises almost $630,000 a year, and has been renewed by voters ever since it was originally approved in the 1990s.

It was unclear whether a bonding proposal for the Hastings Area School System was approved Tuesday night, as Barry County did not post its election results online. Hastings' lone precinct in Calhoun County reported 10 votes against the proposal and none for it.

Under the proposal, the district would borrow up to $44.6 million, resulting in a 4.0 mill increase in property taxes to pay for several building projects. The bonds would be repaid over 25 years, and the measure would raise taxes for homeowners with a $140,000 market value by $280 in the first year.

Voters shot down a request in May that would have allowed the district to borrow up to $55 million. It did pass, however, a 10-year, 1 mill sinking fund tax to pay for construction and repairs.

Contact Jennifer Bowman at 269-966-0589 or jbowman@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow her on Twitter: @jenn_bowman